An Historic Moment when Rosenior Transcends Obstacles

"Rosenior represents a quality manager that understands the game inside out, and that's what matters most.

"But, in my role as the Blues' pioneering black player, I would be lying if I said this news does not affect me."

These were the words of the former Chelsea winger, the man who made his historic debut for the Blues' first team off the bench in the spring of 1982.

This week, the club hired Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, aged 41, as their new head coach following the exit of Enzo Maresca.

Strasbourg are part of the multi-club BlueCo that also owns the London club.

There have been a mere 12 black head coaches – excluding individuals in interim roles – in the Premier League since its inception thirty-four years ago.

"What really strikes me regarding Rosenior is he grew up and developed his game locally, he knows this area," added Canoville.

"Whenever kids observe a figure like Rosenior in charge of their club, a person they can identify with, from a similar background, who comes from a household that fights for what's right… it is impactful and shows them that opportunities exist.

"So yes, it is a huge step for Chelsea, for London, for all aspiring individual with big dreams.

"However, currently? Let's back Liam, provide him with the necessary tools, and let the man do his work."

What Exactly Does the Data Show?

The iconic Dutchman Ruud Gullit was appointed the Blues' head coach in 1996 thereby becoming the top flight's first black manager.

A dozen years on, in 2008, Paul Ince became the pioneering black English boss in the top flight after taking charge at Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the sole additional current top flight boss of colour.

The shortage of managers of colour throughout the English game corresponds with a lack of diversity at executive level.

According to the BFP 2023's report, 43% of Premier League players are from black backgrounds.

Yet, analysis by the equality organization found only 3.2% of executive and leadership management teams at 17 of 20 Premier League clubs are held by people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

At senior coaching level, according to figures from eleven clubs, the figure is 2%.

For all coaching roles – including senior roles – from those same eleven clubs, the figure is 5%.

"He has undoubtedly made history by virtue of him being announced as a the Chelsea head coach, and we want to see more of that," said Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor.

"It is acknowledged there is loads of talent present in the ethnic minority communities... aspiring coaches desire the opportunity to show what they can do. It is imperative to continue to work hard to break those barriers down."

Additionally, the new appointee is set to become one of only four full-time British managers presently in the Premier League – joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Scott Parker – which lags behind the continent's remaining major divisions regarding national representation.

16 of the 20 first division managers in Serie A are from Italy, Eleven of the 20 are Spanish, Twelve of the 18 are German while Ten in Ligue 1 are French.

Current Blues interim boss Calum McFarlane commented: "I'm sure all young English managers from an academy background are, in some way no matter who you support, rooting for Liam.

"It's really motivating for up-and-coming British coaches in the system to see an individual get that job with his background and everyone hopes he does really well."

'Let's not forget – his appointment is on merit'

Leroy Rosenior, Liam's father, played for the likes of Fulham, the Hammers as well as Queens Park Rangers, and his managerial career culminating in a brief stint at the third-tier club Brentford in 2006.

In 2019, he received a Member of the Order of the British Empire in that year's 2019 New Year Honours for his services in combating inequality within the sport and wider society.

When Rosenior Jr retired from playing he followed his father's footsteps. He started writing a column for The Guardian, and in one piece he addressed the under-representation of black coaches. He pointed out that race does not determine ability and said opportunities should be given on merit.

He further expressed the view he would repeat: how significant lack of diversity results in misunderstandings of players with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

In a podcast for a football podcast, he explained the way his leading forward, Emmanuel Emegha, had been described as "hard to manage" and "emotional", noting that he could relate to the Netherlands player with Nigerian parentage. Emegha is set to follow him in moving from Strasbourg to Chelsea in July.

In subsequent Guardian columns, he also confessed to being "embarrassed" to hear a coach make a discriminatory remark. He vowed his support for the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign and wrote an open letter to the former US President during his first US presidency, condemning his "blatant" prejudice.

Rosenior has since built his reputation in the dugout – initially with Hull City, later at Strasbourg – and Wayne Rooney recently stating he was "among the best coaches I've ever worked with" after their collaboration at Derby County.

Rosenior said his farewells to his former club on Tuesday morning before signing a long-term deal at Chelsea.

Chelsea had the top flight's pioneering African heritage boss with Gullit as well as the first black skipper named Paul Elliott.

Elliott has since held multiple senior positions, including the Football Association's diversity and inclusion board|